He told the Times ciclovías were “a really good way of sending out a clear message that streets should not just be for vehicles, and getting people active is a really important part of what we should be doing”.

He said that while some vehicle-free rides already take place in Britain, a regular event in big cities in the summer months would be “fantastic from a public health point of view”.

“It’s a very, very good idea, we would certainly like to see it happen,” he said. “But the streets should be more cycle-friendly at all times.”